Chiral Versus Non-Chiral [Mn Mn Na ], [Mn Mn Na ] and [Mn Mn Na ] Clusters Derived from Schiff Bases or the Fight for Symmetry.

The reaction in basic media of manganese chloride with Schiff bases derived from the condensation of o-vanillin with different chiral/racemic aminoalcohols yielded in a family of complexes in which the nuclearity, symmetry and magnetic behavior is controlled by changing the position of the chiral carbon. Chiral and racemic clusters with [Mn Mn Na ], [Mn Mn Na ] and [Mn Mn Na ] metallic core have been structurally and magnetically characterized. The racemic clusters with an odd number of chiral ligands exhibit the anomalous mixing of ligands with different conformation. Related racemic compounds have been reviewed.